Stella McCartney's baby joy

Stella McCartney has become a mother for the first time after giving birth to a baby boy.

The designer daughter of Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, who is married to publisher Alasdhair Willis, was delighted when her son, who has yet to be named, arrived into the world on Friday (25.02.05).

A spokeswoman for the couple said: "Stella and Alasdhair are thrilled with the birth of their happy and healthy baby boy."

Sir Paul, who already has two grandsons, was one of the first people to visit Stella at London's Portland Hospital while Stella's close friends, Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, sent their congratulations.

Stella, 33, wed publisher Alasdhair in 2003 in a bitter-sweet ceremony at her late mother Linda McCartney's favourite spot, the Scottish Isle of Bute.

Guests at the party were shocked to be asked to buy trees as wedding gifts for the 'green' bride and groom, who wanted to grow their own forest in the grounds ofÃ‚Â their Ã‚Â£1.3million Worcestershire country home.